Race Equality Charter
The Race Equality Charter (REC) aims to improve the representation, progression and success of minority ethnic staff and students within higher education.
The Race Equality Charter is administrated by Advance HE, a charity which aims to reduce inequalities across the sector and also manages the Athena Swan accreditation. The REC provides a framework through which institutions work to identify and self-reflect on institutional and cultural barriers standing in the way of minority ethnic staff and students. Member institutions develop initiatives and solutions for action, and can apply for a Bronze or Silver REC award, depending on their level of progress. As of July 2021, only 17 institutions hold a Bronze award, and none hold a Silver award.
Race Equality Charter Bronze Award
The University of Exeter has secured a Race Equality Charter bronze award that recognises the University’s commitment to and efforts towards advancing race equality in higher education.
A Bronze award recognises that an institution has a solid foundation for enhancing race equity and developing an inclusive culture that values and supports all colleagues and students, acknowledging commitment and preparation to act. This is reflected in the REC’s five fundamental guiding principles which the University signed up to as part of its membership of the charter.
Through continued collaboration with its Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Team led by the previous Race Equality Charter Manager, Niema Bohrayba, the BME Network, Student Societies and the Race Equality Group with leadership by our Provost, the University has identified gaps, listened to students and staff and co-created impactful actions to guide its practice over the next five years. This is one step in the direction of continuing the journey towards becoming an anti-racist university as aspired in the 2030 Strategy.
Our Action Plan
Being awarded our Race Equality Charter Bronze award in 2022 was just the start of our work and an extensive action plan is now being implemented. Our Race Equality Charter aims to create a more inclusive and diverse University community, and we have identified five key priorities to drive this work forward.
Find out more about our five priorities.